Student EDI Development

This program provides students with EDI training sessions to enhance their knowledge and understanding of EDI, become culturally responsible and knowledgeable, and become an asset to the diverse world that we live in today. Using a culturally responsive framework, facilitators and educators create student-centered learning environments that explore racial, linguistic and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning; develop students’ abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change. The goals of the program include the following:

Goal 1: Gain an understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Goal 2: Provide students with an opportunity to learn about the experiences of underrepresented populations.

Goal 3: Respectfully engage, challenge and support students by creating a safe space for education on various EDI-related topics.

Goal 4: Increase awareness of one’s identities, biases and privileges.

Student EDI Training Options 

Tier 1

The Tier 1 section of the EDI training will provide students with an interactive and intentional learning environment to enhance knowledge of a specific EDI topic. Students must successfully participate in 10 EDI Tier 1 sessions in order to move on to the final Tier 2 section of the EDI project. Sessions can include interactive in-person training, book clubs, movies and discussions or immersion trips like the Civil Rights Pilgrimage.

Students will participate in face-to-face, interactive sessions. Sessions will be offered on a schedule which will be released before the start of each semester. Students must enroll in three required sessions and can choose their remaining seven sessions based on the optional choices.

Visit our page on Blugold Connect+ to learn more about Tier 1 requirements and upcoming sessions.

Tier 2

Students are encouraged to consider the completion of a certificate in equity, diversity and inclusion personal development. Tier 2 provides participants with the opportunity to earn an EDI certificate and letter of accomplishment following completion of 10 sessions and a project/presentation that demonstrates and incorporates their learning.

Participants will have their entire collegiate careers to complete the certificate program.

After completing 10 sessions, students interested in earning their EDI certificate will need to complete the student project form. Students are allowed to decide how they would like to demonstrate their learning. If they would like to display it beyond the options provided, a staff member will follow up to provide an individual consultation.

The presentation of student certificates will be held prior to the University Student Excellence Awards in May.

Learn more about Tier 2 requirements, sessions, and project forms on Blugold Connect+.

Barron County campus options

Tier 1 sessions are primarily scheduled on the UW-Eau Claire campus. Some sessions may be offered through distance education (DE) technology for students to attend virtually from the UW-Barron County campus and Marshfield site. Connection arrangements will be made no later than one week before the session when there are at least two interested participants from the same location.

If you are interested in virtually attending an upcoming session, please contact the DE coordinator at your location.

Marshfield: Kari Vanden Busch*, VANDENBK@uwec.edu
UW-Barron County: Sue Kleusch*, KLEUSCSE@uwec.edu

NOTE: Not all sessions are eligible for this service due to session format, time of day and facilitator preference. We will try our best to accommodate requests for eligible sessions.

*Disability Accommodations: If you require an accommodation, please notify us at least two weeks in advance of the program so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Contact program coordinator FranChesca Riley at rileyfa@uwec.edu to request accommodation; all requests are kept confidential.

Resources

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has many offices which support student success through programming and resources, including:

• Affirmative Action
• Complaints and Procedures
• Gender & Sexuality Resource Center
• McNair Program
• Multicultural Student Services
• Services for Students with Disabilities
• Student Support Services
• University Police
• Upward Bound

There are many resources available off-campus to help students continue to learn about topics surrounding equity, diversity and inclusion. Here are a few:

• Project Implicit: A series of tests to help understand personal areas of bias around race, gender, religion, age, ability and more.
• Pronouns.org: Learn why pronouns matter and more about gender inclusive language.
• Tribal Nations of Wisconsin: Learn more about the 11 federally recognized, sovereign nations within the state of Wisconsin.
• Gender and Sexuality Terminology
• TedTalks: There are many TedTalks available that discuss various areas of diversity and inclusion.
• Podcasts: There are a wide variety of podcasts available that discuss individual identities or how they intersect.